Thirty-one suspected kidnappers and armed robbers terrorising commuters on Abuja-Kaduna highway and Kaduna-Birnin, Gwari-Funtua-Zamfara expressway have been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force.

The suspects were said to include three bandit kingpins who were killing people and destroying communities in Zamfara State and suspected kidnappers of Sheik Mohammed Alqarkawi who collected N12 million ransom before they released the Kaduna cleric.

Force Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said the suspects were apprehended by the IGP Special Tactical Squad operatives with 22 AK 47 rifles, one Lar rifle, two single barrel guns, one locally made pistol, one Dane gun and 247 rounds of ammunition.

Moshood, an Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police said most of the suspects had confessed their roles in various crimes.

He said most of the victims, some of whom were rescued from captivity, had equally identified them as being responsible for the abductions, armed robberies and snatching of their vehicles.